1/1/1999 problem in Avvion Servers

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I ran across this last November and completely forgot about it until this morning. What struck me as odd is that this refers to a problem with a specific CPU used in this company's server.

Who else used this hardware. Any one hearing about server problems?

(Lost the URL- originally VNU Newswire 11/16/1998)

Data General warns of Y2K problems with its Aviion servers

by Jonathan Lambeth in Silicon Valley

Data General has put out an urgent warning to customers that some of its Motorola-based servers may experience disruptions on 1 January, 1999, unless they update the firmware software on their processors.

The problems centre around the hardware supplier s Aviion machines, which are based on the Motorola 88k processor - a family of systems that Data General is selling less and less of each year.

However, the issue will have repercussions on a substantial number of customers unless they update their chips firmware with software that the vendor is providing for that purpose.

A statement posted by Data General on its Web site warns: "This update includes a fix to a 1999 related problem on 88k systems and must be loaded immediately to prevent a system disruption on January 1, 1999." It does not specify the nature of the problem the glitch can cause, however.

The company also claimed it shipped the update to customers with their Hardware Support Agreements in June of this year and added it was making it available to all users that contact the customer support centre.

Under the Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act, Data General is bound to make any important Year 2000 information public. The Act, which was passed on 1 October this year, is designed to encourage private sector companies to share information relating to potential Year 2000 computer problems to ensure it does not become the basis for future lawsuits.

) 1998 VNU Business Publications Ltd

-- Lewis (aslanshow@yahoo.com), January 01, 1999

Answers

# # # 19990101

Lewis:

It's "Too_Late" for those discovering this defect now. Perhaps those in the forum that work with these servers ( and their non-compliant languages! ) will relate any horror stories herein? ( Ha! )

Anyone may check out the veracity of this Data General ( DG ) AViiON UX ( a Unix Operating System designation ) server date "error" problem for themselves at:

ATTENTION 88K USERS: PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PREVENT SYSTEM DISRUPTION JANUARY 1, 1999! ( Their page title--not mine! ).

Navigate around the DG site to see--with your own eyes--the problems they also have with their versions of COBOL that will be ready in mid- 1999! ( Too_Late ).

Regards, Bob Mangus # # #

-- Robert Mangus (rmangus@mail.netquest.com), January 01, 1999.


Thanks for digging up the link, Bob. I had originally pasted it into an email to my Server God. Of course, newbie-like, I forgot to include the URL. Hard to find good help. Ask my boss.

n - w = What I know about server hardware. (Where n is what I know and w is what I know that is incorrect...) I'm a front-end kinda guy. How's your expertise? Is this a widely used design?

Stay warm-

-- Lewis (aslanshow@yahoo.com), January 03, 1999.


# # # 19990103

Lewis:

Never heard of DG Aviion, before your query.

I've done stints system admin nursing to HP/Sun -UX, NT, DOS, Banyan- Vines ( ugh! ), Tandy ( arrghh! ), and a few other environments I can't even recall. ( LOL! )

Never really enthralled by that segment of IT, though. I always enjoyed solving business problems in the global and application ( development ) spheres.

The only hardware I got "intimate" with was automotive embedded ( TI 8601? & others ) controllers. Six plus years in that ( "scientific ) segment of the business was a refreshing break from 27 years in business systems and applications.

Too bad it all had to end _this way_! I'm sure I have another 20 years in me for the right challenges! *sigh*

Good luck!

Regards, Bob Mangus # # #

-- Robert Mangus (rmangus@mail.netquest.com), January 03, 1999.


Bob- Tandy?!? ROFL! With the Innovative DeskMate interface, no doubt.. Haven't heard any more about this DG Aviion story. "The dog that barked in the night"?

You sound like you know your chops. I do mostly Access/VB apps these days. In 1995, I was "promoted" to Head Geek at an SME manufacturer. Babysat a strange SCO UNIX beasty. After reading an ANALOG article about Y2K, I inquired with the support contractor about compliance. He gave me the blankest look since the brick wall.

I quit a month later.

Be strong. Try to avoid hanging from lamposts...

-- Lewis (aslanshow@yahoo.com), January 06, 1999.


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